Tractor Safety, Operation, and Maintenance

Importance of Safety Annually, 300 to 400 tractor-related deaths occur on U.S. farms. Over 50 percent of tractor-related deaths are caused by tractor roll-overs. A roll bar or roll-over protective structure and seat belt usage could have prevented all of these deaths. Other fatalities include falls, run-overs, crushes and PTO entanglement.

Types of Tractor Injury-Incidents There are several types of tractor mishaps that result in injury. Common mishaps are: by-pass starting front-end loader incidents rearward tractor rollovers sideways tractor rollovers falls from tractors tractor runovers caught-between crushing PTO stub shaft entanglements

Tractor Accidents Are Costly

Tractor Operator Responsibilities There are eight primary responsibilities the safe tractor operator must meet whenever the tractor is used. They are: conducts proper maintenance conducts pre-operation checks avoids injury-incident situations maintains safety features uses tractor as intended refuels safely starts and stops safely adjusts the tractor for safety

Safe Operation Read and understand the Operator's Manual(s) before operating the equipment. Keep your equipment in good condition. Never start an engine in a closed shed or garage. Always keep your PTO properly shielded.

Safe Operation The Rules of Tractor Safety Use ROPS and seat belt whenever and wherever applicable. Do not wear the seat belt when the ROPS is folded.

Safe Operation Use special caution on slopes, slow down for all turns and stay off the highway whenever possible. Keep your hitches low and always on the drawbar. Otherwise, your tractor might flip over backwards. Keep wheels spread wide whenever possible

Learn and use hand signals. Do not add coolant to the radiator while the engine is hot ; hot coolant can erupt and scald.

Safe Operation Never refuel while the engine is running or hot. Always fuel your tractor outside and store your fuel outside. Check the Work Area. Know in advance where hidden ditches, large rocks, stumps or any other debris is located.

Safe Operation Never Pop the clutch or practice unsafe maneuvers. Never hitch to the axle or other high point. Never attach a post or log to the rear wheels when the tractor is stuck in the mud. Disengage the power take-off when it's not in use.

Safe Operation Never get off a moving tractor or leave it with its engine running. Keep all children off and away from your tractor and its implements at all times.

Safe Operation Outfit your equipment with a first aid kit, a small tool kit for minor repairs, and a fire extinguisher. Make it a firm, unbreakable, no- exceptions rule: NO RIDERS! Keep safety labels clean and free from obstructing material.

Safe Operation Dress Properly .Well-fitted, belted clothing is a must. Don't jump off the tractor Use the steps and handholds, face towards the tractor, and watch your step. Steps should be cleaned regularly and kept free of dirt, grease and oil.

Safe Operation When you shut down your tractor: - Put the PTO lever in neutral and lower attachments to the ground. - Always shut off engine, set the park brake(s) and remove key. - Whenever possible, park on level ground.

Transport Safety   Use an SMV (Slow Moving Vehicle) sign, proper clearance flags, lights and warning signals Be sure the brake pedals are locked together and properly adjusted to assure straight-line stops. Prepare Your Attachments. Make sure they are secure, properly mounted. Carry them in the transport position.

Transport Safety Slow down, pull over and let the normal traffic pass you. Control Your Speed. A tractor is designed for easy maneuverability at low speeds, not high speeds. Slow Down on Turns or Curves. Have the tractor in the same gear going downhill as you would to go up, in order to use engine compression for braking.

Transport Safety Never, ever, coast downhill. It will allow the tractor speed to exceed that for which it was designed. Know Your Stopping Distance. Always leave enough room to stop. Never use the differential lock while in transport. The tractor will tend to continue in a straight line when you are attempting to turn.  

Tractor Training Program Varies from state to state Age 16 minimum for hazardous employment operating a tractor over 20 PTO horsepower, or connecting or disconnecting an implement or any of its parts to and from a tractor. Age 16 minimum for operating other listed hazardous farm equipment Minors 14 or 15 years old who hold certificates of completion of either the tractor operation or machine operation training program offered by Vocational Agriculture Teachers or Extension Service may work in the occupations for which they have been trained.

Assignment: Go to Computer Lab and research Oklahoma’s farm labor laws that pertain to tractor operation and farm work for minors. Report may also include farm related injury statistics of the state or any other relevant information. Construct a report to be turned in on test day. This assignment must be done no makeups!